Property Feature

REACHING THE Summit.

On Epsom’s Mountain Road, we’ve found the pinnacle - a home that carries with it grandeur, charm, and more than its fair share of stories. And now, it also houses infinite possibilities for a new buyer. We caught up with agent Heather Walton, who took us through the house at number 54.

Excitement is one of those funny senses that catches on rather quickly.

The thrill of an idea, or the wave of pure joy sparks in someone, and it doesn’t take long for it to permeate through to those close by.

Which is how we ended up with a massive grin on our faces the moment we walked through the door of 54 Mountain Road - the excitement in real estate agent Heather Walton was palpable.

‘Is it that obvious?’ she laughs as she greets us.

It is, we tell her.

‘Well, you can see why, can’t you?’ she asks.

That we can.

This incredibly impressive 418m2 approx. double brick home accommodates three separate levels, and sits on around 1967m2 of sought-after Epsom land.

It truly is a sight to behold.

‘In our job,’ explains Heather Walton, ‘we get to see so many older homes that have been renewed and refreshed over time. But this feels very original.’

Built in the early 1900s, so much of what you still see today is as the original designer intended it. It gives the home a real sense of history, but also provides a modern audience with an opportunity.

“It feels like someone could make it so magnificent - simple things like painting out the timber, and making it your own. Whereas a lot of these older homes have already had that done by someone else.’

Perfectly comfortable as is, there is still scope to develop and modernise the property further, and stamp your mark on a house with real classic beauty.

‘This would’ve been an incredibly expensive property in its day,’ says Heather, who’s listed the property alongside colleague Ryan Teece through Ray White Epsom.

‘You can tell this place was something very, very special when it was built - and it still is!’

That begins the minute you pull through the gate.

You can tell this place was something very, very special when it was built - and it still is!

‘It’s really grand, and is rather imposing even on this huge block of land,’ Heather marvels.

‘It’s got the horseshoe driveway, so at some point carriages would’ve turned around in there.’

Up the entrance steps and through the solid front door, you’re immediately amazed by the character of this massive six bedroom home.

You’ll notice right away details like the impressive stud height, offering grand, ornate ceilings, or the stunning staircase leading up to the second floor.

‘The grandeur just blows me away. The usage of all the timber panelling that was of that age. You can really embrace that panelling, or you can paint it out - but either way this house you can absolutely make your own.’

The ground floor is where you’ll spend hours either relaxing and unwinding by yourself, or joyously entertaining friends and family.

The large space offers separate areas for your kitchen and dining, as well as both formal and family lounge spaces. The beauty of the design means they flow perfectly between one another, while still maintaining privacy and separation.

‘The originality of the property gives it some amazing features inside, like that beautiful wrap-around country-style kitchen,’ Heather says.

‘It even comes with a classic serving hatch between the kitchen and dining like so many of those old properties did. So you can continue to enjoy the quirks of the property, or you could renovate it to a modern style and open-plan the whole thing.

The lower level would be the most incredible media room. Or, if someone renovated, the lower level could almost be self-contained.

On that same main level, you’ll also find a large double bedroom, with a separate laundry and shower room.

Plus the conservatory offers more of that flexibility in which to enhance what’s already there.

‘We thought you could turn that sun room into a massive wrap-around deck,’ muses Heather, who laughs when explaining both she and her colleague Ryan love discussing all the renovation possibilities with groups that come through the viewings.

‘The spaces are all there - it just needs some dedicated TLC.’

Up that grand staircase we mentioned earlier, you’ll discover the main bedrooms - four in total - as well as a large family bathroom and an office space.

‘Currently there is just the one bathroom that services that top level,’ Heather explains.

But, again, there’s plenty of options to re-design the space.

‘That master bedroom certainly has the potential for a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite, which we’ve seen recently in so many renovated villas. The opportunity exists!’

There’s also a third, lower level - one that’s still above ground, given the gradient of the site. Currently it houses a double bedroom, bathroom and a games room as well.

‘The lower level would be the most incredible media room. Or, if someone renovated, the lower level could almost be self-contained.’

It’s an option a number of families are leaning towards these days, given changing family dynamics and increasing house prices.

‘So this way you can have grandparents living there, or au pairs living there,’ Heather explains.

‘So that would be on a totally different level all on its own, because there’s a perfect number of bedrooms and bathrooms on the top two floors to live. That lower level is such a massive bonus.’

Outside, though, this house really comes alive.

‘It’s situated on the Epsom lava rock forest, which is just spectacular. There’s this huge forest belt that runs right through that area, and it’s essentially part of your backyard at this property.’

The forest is a stunning feature that provides peace and tranquility - a rarity so close to the bustling city.

‘The current owners made plans for a rather elaborate development joining the property to the forest - with a bridge across to a treehouse - and really just incorporated the forest into the dwelling. So it was a creative, amazing extension of the existing property. But that never eventuated, so there’s now the opportunity for the next person to do that.’

It’s just another layer to this already exciting property - that chance to really enhance what is already a phenomenal home.

Plus the house sits in that much sought-after Grammar Zone. But with the school rolls continuing to climb, and talk of boundary changes imminent, this is one property you know you’ll be safe buying.

‘It won’t matter if those boundaries get shifted,’ explains Heather.

‘Your Grammar Zones are assured, because you’re right opposite the gate to the school!’

There’s so much to love with 54 Mountain Road, and even more to get excited by.

‘This is perfect for someone with a good eye,’ Heather says.

‘Someone who’s clever, who can really visualise spaces. There’s so much you can do.’